Never Give Up...

I've finally had time to process and post about my trip to South Africa!

From the moment I met our team (Todd and Cindy, Anna, Nancy, Robin and I) and we all truly "meshed," I knew this trip would be great. I approach most mission trips with little or no expectations. That may sound odd, but truly if you're walking into a completely different culture, you have to be in "learn" mode. And after learning about the travel schedule, I knew I'd have to be extremely flexible as well. Happily, our trip (though LONG) was flawless. And thanks to the Hunger Games book, which I finished about 8hrs in to the 16hr flight, it felt a lot shorter than it was!

Our team at the end of the week on the wildlife safari!

When we arrived, we were greeted by KarenK (our team leader had gone over ahead of us) and our driver for the week, Dickson. A huge black South African Rugby guy with dreads and a booming voice!! Ha. I LOVE DICKSON! Turns out he's only 23, plays for the Vickings, and is in seminary!! He quickly became my buddy as we had lunch pick-up duty together daily, driving around in his huge Rugby Combvi van :)

Hope2Africa has been blessed to partner with a family who owns a Cucumber farm. We stayed in some cottages at the back of their land, toured the cucumber farm, and woke up every morning to Impala grazing in the front yard. It felt like a tropical paradise!!

Our view from our cottages each morning

In stark contrast, we were blessed to visit the squatter camp area of Mkholombe where some of our youth live, before camp even started. This was so helpful to give us a context for where these kids are coming from. Because, truly, at camp, they are all loving, hugging, joyful, beautiful, and normal everyday teenagers. But it's incredible to see more of their lives, the struggles they face, the difficulties they have to overcome, their need, and the situations some of them are walking through. I'm humbled to have visited some of the youth in their homes (some live in the township of Boboyi in Redevelopment Program (RDPs) one-room block houses) and met some of their family members (Moms, Aunties, little cousins running around)...We prayed with them and over them where they live.

Mkholombe shacks

Boboyi Township RDP house

Camp started with a bang. We met all the students on Friday and introduced the classes they could pick to be in for the week: Morning- Drama (KarenK) or Creative Writing (Todd and Anna); Afternoon- Sewing (Nancy and Cindy), Art (Robin), or Computers (Todd and Anna). All Students- Music, Repertoire (KarenK and Becky). We talked, hugged and listened to them sing, dance, and play drums for us!! It was so fun to see their joy and excitement--and TALENT!

Camp officially started Saturday and each morning I taught girls discipleship (devotions) for an hour while Todd taught the guys. Then we each broke up into small groups where we'd talk about the lesson and pray with each other. The Lord lead each day so perfectly--from who got paired with whom, to what subjects were taught, and even to answered prayer before our eyes! Afterward, they'd go to their chosen classes and I'd go with Dickson to pick up lunch or shop for supplies, clothes or food for the students. In the afternoon, I'd help arrange the "gift of the day" and enjoy watching the amazing repertoire these kids were creating with sweet Mama Becky (founder of H2A).

Each afernoon after camp, we'd have the kids sit in a circle with their eyes closed and explain that God sees their needs and that there are people in America who love Jesus and love them and desire to meet their needs. That these people, who they may never meet, have provided these things because they couldn't come themselves. Then, we'd lay whatever the days' gift was in front of them and have them open their eyes. The squeals of excitement, the thankfulness, and the humility in these students was so refreshing and beautiful to see as they received a backpack with school supplies, vitamins and a washcloth on Day 1. Hats, scarves, socks and a USB drive on Day 2. A bag of groceries on Day 3. H2A t-shirts, a blanket and a notebook on Day 4. And jeans, a white long sleeve t-shirt and their H2A sweatshirts on Thursday-performance day!

On Thursday, we all loaded up and headed to and area of the townships where the students performed the entire repertoire at a fork in the middle of the road. It was completely student lead. A student named Melissa sang a song called "Never Give Up." It's got both English and Zulu words. The rest of the students pantomimed a drama while they sang. They did several songs this way. Each proclaiming that HOPE is found in Jesus and not in the things of this world such as drugs, sex, ancestor worship, popularity, money, etc.The purpose of Hope2Africa is to use the creative arts to empower these students with leadership and the gospel so that THEY can share with their communities. So that THEY will be able to reproduce this and perform it and use it through out the summer when we aren't there. And they are. And they are doing it well!  

I felt like NEVER GIVE UP was the theme of the week! From the songs they sang to the dramas they performed, to the devotions Todd and I taught (which were amazingly similar even though we never collaborated!)...Running the race with endurance, fixing our eyes on Jesus...Putting on the Full Armor of God...Trials produce patience, character, and Hope in Jesus that doesn't disappoint...if we confess our sins God is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us...and we fight FROM victory, not for it, because Jesus has conquered disease, disaster and death! Even though there was a difficult situation that arose in the very middle of camp, the Lord used it for good and rose up students to become leaders, as a result. God always wins. He is our Hope.

Three things set this trip apart from other trips. First, these are responsive and spiritually hungry teenagers who long to be loved and who long to share their lives. They are easy to get to know! Second, they speak English and write it as well!! Ha! I will never take for granted ease of communication! And Lastly, I get to keep in touch with them through email or facebook, through updates from Becky and KarenK, and know that they are followed well, discipled in bible study weekly, provided for, and that they are part of a team that loves Jesus and loves them. As part of Hope2Africa, each student has responsibility, accountability, and a camp week twice a year to encourage and teach them. Some are applying to college this year. It's amazing to see what happens when we share the love of Jesus, teach Truth, and provide for needs. It truly changes lives.

I'm so thankful for new friends and I can't wait to see them again next year, Lord willing!

Expectant Hope

I have some exciting news to share with you!

After traveling to both India and Romania twice over the past two years, I had planned on staying home this year. That decision came after a summer of house buying and medical problems, in my attempt to be wise financially. However, I’m still learning that God’s timing and ways are often different than ours as recently I was asked to join a mission team to help lead girls discipleship. After much prayer and confirmation, I’m excited to share that I am going to South Africa!

From March 28 through April 8^th I will have an amazing opportunity to equip S. African youth in sharing the Gospel of Jesus with their own people. My trip is with Hope2Africa, a partner ministry of First Baptist Church Woodstock, Georgia. Our team of 9 includes my dear friend Karen K who taught me about the Lord when I was 14! I’m so blessed to serve along with Karen and this team!

Hope2Africa exists to:

1. Encourage the youth living in poverty and surrounded by HIV/aids in the squatter camps of South Africa. To tell them Jesus loves them, values them and has a plan for their future.

2. Equip these youth to share Jesus with their own communities. We teach them how to discover and use their creative talents in the arts (drama, art, creative writing, dance and music) to share the Gospel in the streets of their squatter camp.

3. Empower, pour into and train the next generation of Godly leaders to reach South Africa for Christ.

Please consider being a part of this trip by praying and giving. I would love for you to partner with us by praying for the students, our team, and the vision of Hope2Africa. If you would like more specifics on what I will be doing during our trip please email me: kconnor7@yahoo.com and visit the ministry website: www.hope2africa.com.

I’m humbled by this opportunity and thankful for you!

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Romans 10:14-15

Run like a ...princess!

What a PERFECT weekend! We left Birmingham Friday afternoon, met up with Linn's mom, and drove to Tallahassee where sweet Ms. Patsy got us a hotel. We headed out early Saturday morning for Orlando, stopping at some random FL WELCOME center for some delicious fruit! We made it to our hotel in time to check in and head to the EXPO where we got some goodies and picked up our race packet.
I was a little mopey to find out that I was in the very LAST corral to start (out of A-H...I got put in H. BOOOOOO). But when we got back to the hotel, pizza and a visit from Linn's sweet friends Crystal and Brian Moore cheered me up!

Sunday morning we awoke at 3AM, tried on our tu-tu, decided against them though they were so cute!, boarded the bus at 345AM and got to the race sight at 4! We checked our bags, and walked what seemed like a MILE to the start corrals, where we said our goodbyes and separated (Linn was: B, Ms. Patsy: D, and Melanie: E...and me...H. BOOOO!) Okay, you get the point.
At the start of the race at 545AM there was fireworks and music! Each corral started about 5 minutes apart...to more music and fireworks! Disney knows how to put on a show!
After anxiously awaiting my start, I finally got to begin the race at 627AM. It was so fun! There were fun displays about every 1/4mile with music and characters!! It felt like the first 6 miles flew by! Around mile 7 my feet began to hurt a bit. By mile 10, my thighs were getting sore. It was then, out of 21,000 people, I spotted Andi Campbell Sims!!! A sweet friend I hadn't seen in a few years whom I had only found out was running two days prior. Thanks to facebook, I knew what she'd be wearing and out of God's good grace, I found her! We ran the last 3.1 miles together, just chatting away!!! WOW!
If that wasn't enough, I rounded the bend after mile 13 only to spot my dear friend Karen Kleinschmidt!! We ran together for a few minutes and then I tried my best to finish strong and sprinted to the finish line where I checked my watch and pumped my fists high! I DID IT!!!!!! I RAN 13.1 MILES!!!!
Even though I dashed and dodged a TON of people in a somewhat frustrating and crowded race course...and even though I stopped quickly to use the port-o-let...oh yes....and even though I stopped for a quick picture with Andi....I STILL FINISHED IN MY DESIRED TIME!
2 hrs, 36 min, 40 seconds!!! WHOO HOOO!

Afterwards, we showered, changed, and headed to EPCOT ...why not? Ha. We were so wiped out but it was relaxing and nice. Then we drove to my parents house in Merritt Island for dinner and spent the night. We headed home Monday and had a great time recounting the fun weekend, taking turns in the drivers seat, and enjoying time together before Melanie gets married this month and Linn gets married in June. WHEW!

Here's a recap of a sweet, blessed and momentous weekend! The Lord blessed me with no anxiety, a great race, and a very special weekend. Thanks for praying, friends! I FELT IT!

Heading to the Expo!
Pre-race photo at 4AM!














Post-race VICTORY!

Running the race...

Have you ever committed to something that, at the time, sounded super great...only to be hit with a dose of reality- moments, days, even weeks later- as to the nature of what was truly involved?
I did that. Recently.
In the midst of last summers life change (you are welcome to scroll back), I got a whim to do something physically challenging. Something I could look back and say I truly worked to accomplish. Something that would help keep my body strong, in light of an unknown future. Something I had on a distant bucket list.
I signed up for a race.

I didn't just sign up for any race. I signed up for the the most fitting race I could find. THE DISNEY PRINCESS HALF-MARATHON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know I know. Crazy people run marathons. That's why I chose a half. Because I'm only half crazy ;)

It's been truly wonderful to see how the Lord is already using the decision in my spiritual life. I hoped that the discipline in training for something physical would parallel the disciplines of living the Spiritual life as a follower of Christ. You see, both are incredibly difficult. But both are incredibly rewarding. It's not a fair parallel, though, because the riches of following Christ are immeasurable and eternal, whereas running 13.1 miles on February 26th at 5:45 in the morning is a single and measurable event. But humor me as I share how incredible is this God!

My roommate and I laughed and joked as we realized we had both picked "Belle" as our princess during race registration. I was so giddy to think of how much fun it would be to run this race with my sweet roommate, her mom and her sister. We even get to dress up! Ha! The reality came when we printed out the training schedule and realized we would begin only a week later. We are now 4.5 weeks from race day and each long run I do from now on will be the farthest I have ever run in my life. Each week will be a new accomplishment! I'll admit, it's harder to run some days than others. I struggle with fatigue from my medication and have to be strategic in planning my runs. I have to make time to run, sometimes forgoing other fun things. I have to be mindful of my nutrition and hydration, especially the day before the long run. Mostly, I have to have the right things when I run ...newer shoes for long runs, iPod, temperate clothes, gummies, etc. Lastly, I have to remind myself of the commitment I have made each time I don't feel like running (to my roommate, to myself, and plus, this race is expensive!!!). Each of these things can be beautifully paralleled with my faith in Christ and my life as His child.

It's harder to follow Christ some days than others (in light of the devastating tornadoes that hit our city, many around me are freshly living this reality). Not everything is bunnies and butterflies. Life is unpredictable and disappointing. People are sinful and relationships are messy. We live in a fallen world among a fallen creation. I struggle with sin and have to fight for purity and truth. I have to make time to spend with Christ, in scripture, so as to be filled with His Spirit through His Word to counteract that things our society feeds us. I have to be mindful of what my eyes and ears are exposed to, weighing things against the Truth found in the Bible, and drinking deeply of God's living water that quenches my deepest thirst. I have to run the race with endurance, making sure I am clothed with the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20!). And lastly, I have to preach the gospel to myself daily, so that I remember the grace of God and His abundant mercy in Christ's death on the cross on my behalf: That I am saved from His wrath toward my sin because Jesus took that punishment on Himself on the cross. That I am reconciled to God because of Jesus, not because of anything I do. I am chosen and deeply loved. I am a co-heir with Christ. And by His amazing grace, I can come to Him freely, as His child. I can come before the Holy, Righteous King and Creator of the Universe. Me! And I'll get Him for eternity!

You can believe I will have this scripture verses written on my hand during the race (Thanks for the great idea Linn!!):

Hebrews 12: 1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Psalm 119:32
I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!

1Corinthians 9: 23-27
I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Scripture is so encouraging and life-giving. We run this race with Christ and sometimes we run as reluctant athletes (my newest phrase when I have to climb a hill, right Ashley??)...and sometimes we fall and get scars (a have a beautiful one on my knee at the moment)...but we get back up and keep running because this race is worth our blood, sweat and tears. And Jesus went before us with HIS blood, sweat and tears, to secure our victory; our enduring, imperishable prize. We get Him.